Inspired by historical art, York woman recreates her own intricate designs

Rachel Grace Purnell

Wednesday

Feb 10, 2010 at 2:00 AM

They were valentines inspired by the gifts of the ocean — a mosaic of seashells set in octagonal boxes and sealed with a plate of glass. These were the romantic tokens purchased by seafaring men during the 1800s. The homesick sailors would buy them from portside artisans and bring them home to their sweethearts. The treasures were aptly named sailors' valentines.

They were valentines inspired by the gifts of the ocean — a mosaic of seashells set in octagonal boxes and sealed with a plate of glass. These were the romantic tokens purchased by seafaring men during the 1800s. The homesick sailors would buy them from portside artisans and bring them home to their sweethearts. The treasures were aptly named sailors' valentines.

The original sailors' valentines — now antiques — that still exist today are worth between $20,000 and $25,000. Thankfully, modern artisans have breathed new life into this fine craft, making today's renditions much easier and much less expensive to come by.

One such artist and York resident, Joyce Amend, has been creating sailors' valentines since 2006. She says she was drawn to this "lost art" because of her fascination with symmetry, formal balance, and precision.

"Having grown up at the seashore, I have a special fondness for the beauty and intricate design of seashells," says Amend. "It is my intention to share this unique fine craft with those who appreciate fine works of art reminiscent of their historical past."

While Amend gets her inspiration from the original valentines, each of her works is one of her own original designs.

"I pay particular attention to the colors and shapes of the shells and how they complement one another in my designs," says Amend. "My patterns are thought out and planned before I affix any shell permanently."

The process of planning out and creating each valentine can take several weeks (with several hours of work each day). Amend must use fine medical instruments to place the shells precisely.

Following tradition, Amend's valentines are crafted within an eight-sided box. Only the finest hardwoods are used for the boxes, including curly maple, mahogany, oak and black walnut. Glass is cut and fitted for each valentine so that the shell mosaic will be protected and preserved. Since 2006, she has made 26 valentines, which range in size from 4-inch paperweights to 8- to 10-inch shadow boxes.

Amend has been an artist and educator for more than 20 years and studied the arts at Wesleyan University, Conn., where she earned her master of art's degree in visual art. Before moving to Maine, Amend was an art instructor and received various awards from the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, the state of Connecticut, and the Hartford Education Foundation. While Amend clearly enjoyed great success in Connecticut, she says she has always found the landscape of coastal Maine to be an inspiration.

"That is one reason why I wanted to move here," says Amend. "The area is so rich when it comes to the arts. It is a great inspiration."

Many of Amend's sailors' valentines are on display and may be purchased at the Sea Bell Gallery or at Revelations Gift Shop (revelationsgifts.com) — both on Shore Road in Ogunquit. You may also contact her directly by e-mail at joyceamend@sailorsvalentines.me.

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